Stretchable stocking or bandage



y 28, 1953 w. M. SCHOLL 2,646,797

STRETCHABLE STOCKING OR BANDAGE Filed Feb. 2, 1950 fur 2172271" M Sakai!Patented July 28, 1953 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE '2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a stretchable stocking orbandage, and more particularly to a, tubular stocking or bandage ofstretchable or elastic material applicable over the arms or legs of awearer to exert a, yielding pressure against the parts of the bodyembraced, although the invention may have other uses and .puirposes aswill be apparent to one skilled in the 'ar A stocking or bandage 01 thecharacter herein set forth is highly desirable in the correctivetreatment of varicose veins and other afflictions where a soft yieldingyet positive pressure correction is indicated.

In'the past many and various types of elastic bandages or stretchablestockings have been developed and utilized in the treatment of varicoseveins and other afflictions requiring a pressure correction. In everyinstance of which I am aware, such bandages were difficult to maintainin a sanitary condition, and wherein a stocking or tubular device wasemployed, the device applied equal pressure to all parts embraced by it,with no concentration of pressure at certain points or areas whereadditional pressure is clearly desirable. Further, devices of thischaracter heretofore known were prone to lose their elasticity after anobjectionably short time and this was especially true if they wereremoved and replaced frequently. In addition, devices heretoforedeveloped and utilized for the same general purpose were objectionablydifiicult to launder, if at all capable of such treatment, were easilydiscernible when worn, and in many cases were objectionably expensive asWell as uncomfortable to the user.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instantinvention to provide a stretchable stocking or bandage made entirely ofa resilient stretchable material.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a stretchablestocking or bandage having a smooth exterior surface whereby the band-.age will offer no drag to articles of wearing apparel put on or takenoff over the bandage.

It is also a feature of this invention to provide :a stretchablestocking or bandage providing a :soft yielding pressure to the part ofthe body en- =cased in the device and which is so constructed as toprovide adequate ventilation.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of astretchable stocking or bandage which may be easily put on or taken on,and which may be laundered or washed whenever and pitc may be desired wih no loss in the stretching and contracting powers of the device.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a stretchable stockingor bandage having added pressure padding on the interior thereof, shapedand sized to provide additional pressure in predetermined locations.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of astretchable stocking, or bandage made entirely of rubber or rubber-likematerial, and so constructed as to be adequately ventilated, and adaptedfor the application of additional pressure in predetermined locations orareas as may be indicated by the particular affiiction of a patient.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a stretchablestocking or bandage that may be made of flesh colored material or theequivalent and be substantially invisible when worn.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantagesof the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will becomeapparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary pictorialillustration of a device embodying principles of the instant invention,indicating the same applied to the leg of a patient;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary greatly enlarged vertical sectional viewthrough the device of Fig. 1, taken substantially as indicated bytheline IIII of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary inside face view of .the section shown in Fig.2.

As shown on the drawings:

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention, the device is shown inthe form of a preformed tubular stretchable stocking for application tothe leg of a patient. It will be understood, of course, that the devicemay equally as well be made as a preformed tube without any foot orinstep strap, and applied over the legs or arms of the patient for thecorrection of varicose veins, ulcers, and various. other types ofafliictions requiring a corrective pressure for proper treatment.

A stocking or bandage, generally indicated by numeral l, is preferablymade up mainly of two initially separate pieces of material, namely aninside layer 2 of cellular rubber-like material,

preferably foam latex, which is light in weight, and in which the cellsintercommunicate with each other and with the open cells on the surfaceand at the edges of the sheet. This inner layer or sheet 2 of foamrubber or the equivalent may be made of any desirable thickness,depending materially upon the character of the affliction it is designedto correct, and as to how much pressure is needed. The inside surface ofthe layer 2 will be in direct contact with the skin of the patient oruser, and .this surface will provide a light clinging action against theskin, not in the least degree uncomfortable, but which aids inmaintaining the bandage properly in position against the rubbing ofarticles of apparel, sudden bumps or scrapes against the leg, and thelike.

The device also includes an outer and usually thinner layer or covering4 which is preferably "a sheet of cured latex or other rubber-likematerial of a highly stretchable character. This material maysatisfactorily be what is commonly termed a'pure latex gum, of thegeneral character of rubber or latex,.utilized by dentists ,for 'rubberdams. "Obviously, the outer'layer '4 provides additional correctivepressure, and may "he of any desirable thickness so as to vary theadditional pressure as required.

As seen clearly in Figs. '1 and "2, the outer layer is preferablyprovided with numerous apertures 5 for the purpose of adequateventilation, there being ample ventilation through the inner foam latexlayer '2 by virtue of the intercommunication of the cells initsstructure.

In the manufacture of the device, the inner foam latex "layer may "befashioned froma flat sheet by cutting to a pattern, and then cementingthe edges together, or it may be -molded in tubular form inpredetermined sizes and shapes. Either method is satisfactory, but insome cases the molded form maybe more satisfactory because while therewill be an adequate number of open cells on the inner surface of themolded layer for ventilation purposes, there will also be asmoothersurfaceby virtueof the so-called skin effect provided by the mold, andthis smoother surface may under many circumstances be more comfortableto the patient. Such a smooth .surface would be in contrast to therougher exposed surface resulting from the slitting of a flat sheet ofmaterial to provide an inner layer of the desired thickness.

The inner layer may readily be cemented to the outer layer 4 so as topermanently unite the layers into substantially an integral whole.

A very important additional feature of the instant invention resides inthe provision of means for applying still more pressure over and abovethat provided by the layers 2 and 4 at predetermined points or areas inaccordance with the needs of .a particular patient. In the case of avaricose vein, for example, where there is a badly congested or swollenarea of the vein or where it is desired to apply additional pressurealong a length of the vein, an added pressure pad may be provided insidethe stocking or bandage. By way of example, in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I haveillustrated the application of a pressure pad 6 which also maysatisfactorily be formed of foam latex. In the illustrated instance, thepad 5 is of generally circular contour, but is thicker in the centralregion than elsewhere, tapering in all directions from the center to arelatively fine circumscribing edge 1,. This pad may be removably orpermanently attached at the proper and predetermined location to theinside face of the inner layer 2, adhesively Q1? a y othe equivalentmanner. Obviously, the pad may be of any desired thickness dependingupon the degree of additional pressure desired. With this arrangement,there will be a noticeable additional pressure applied to a badlycongested area of the body beneath the pad 6.

Another example of added pressure padding is illustrated generally inFig. 1 of the drawings wherein the bandage is shown in the form of astocking embracing a leg indicated by dotted lines 8. In the case of avaricose vein wherein additional pressure is indicated in a mannerfollowing the course of that vein for some dis- *tance, an elongatedirregular shaped pad 9 may be used, this pad 9 being satisfactorily madeof the same material as the pad 6, and secured in position the samemanner. Thus, there will be additional pressure over an elongated areaas may be needed.

Obviously, pads of any desirable shape and size may be utilized toprovide such additional pressure wherever needed.

It will be especially noted that the stocking or bandage will retain itselasticity indefinitely by virtue of its all-sheet construction asdistinguished from the woven or knitted stockings or stretch bandagesused heretofore. The stocking or bandage is also easily removed andreplaced without loss of elasticity, and may be washed or otherwiselaundered or sterilized whenever it is deemed necessary. It will also benoted that the entire device may be made flesh colored so as'to besfibstantially invisible when in use. The device is economical tomanufacture, and highly economi'calin use by virtue of its long life.Further, the device may readily be manufactured to provide a light orstrong pressure, but the pressure will be soft and yielding in characterregardless so that the deviceis extremely comfortable to the patient,and additional pressure may be provided whereverneeded'in particularareas or locations in a simple and-ready manner.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention as exemplified by th appended claims.

Iclaim as my invention:

1. A tubular bandaging device, including an inner layer of foam latex,and an outer layer of impervious latex sheet having numerous aperturestherein.

'2. A bandaging device, including an inner layer of foam latex withintercommunicating cells, and an outer layer of rubber-like sheetmaterial having numerous apertures therein for ventilation inconjunction with the cells in the inner layer.

3. A tubular bandaging device, including an inner layer of elastic andresilient material, .and an outer smooth-surfaced layer of imperviousrubber-like sheet material having numerous apertures therein.

4. A tubular bandaging device, including a preformed tube of elasticmaterial, and a pad of the same material as said tube permanentlyconnected to the inside of the tube at a predetermined location toprovide additional pressure at such location.

5. A tubular bandaging device, including a preformed tube of elasticmaterial, and apad of the same material as the tube attached to theinner face of the tube at a predetermined location to provide additionalpressure at such location, said pad having an area and shape inaccordance with the region of the body requiring additional pressure. 1

6. In a pressure applying bandaging device, a tubular inner layer offoam latex, an outerilayer of resilient sheet material apertured forventilation and united with said inner layer, anda pad of the samematerial as and disposed insid said inner layer in a predeterminedlocation;

7. In a pressure applying bandaging' device, a tubular inner layer offoam latex, an outer layer of resilient sheet material apertured forventilation and united with said inner layer, anda pressure pad disposedinside said inner layer in a predetermined location, said pad havingashape consistent with that of the region of the body where concentratedpressure is indicated.

WILLIAM M. SCHOLL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberNumber Name Date Thompson July 29, 1837 Finlay July 8, 1913 Brohman July4, 1933 Gammeter Nov. 23, 1937 Rodman Aug. 22, 1944 Polinsky Sept. 14,1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Nov. 8, 1923

